Consolidation the remedy to soaring property taxes

This is in reference to the July 7 @issue section about property tax reform, "Is there no cure?"

None of five expert-authored essays addresses the only way to truly reduce property taxes for New Jersey homeowners. Gov. Christie is correct in stating that the way to reduce taxes is to reduce costs.

The tough solution is a reduction in so-called home rule and a consolidation of all government, including school administration, from the 560-plus municipalities and 600-plus school districts into 21 county-level entities. Only then will we reduce the excess administration and duplication of function that exists in our local governments and school districts.

We don't need 600-plus school districts to effectively educate our children and properly prepare them for society. The only benefit derived from such a large number of individual organizations is the jobs it creates, for which we all pay.

Of course, consolidation would result in drastic job elimination, which would be unfathomable. This consolidation, however, should be the stated, long-term objective of tax reform.

The state government should offer incentives to school districts and municipalities that consolidate functions and administration. That way, as natural attrition occurs, job positions would not be refilled merely to fill a role.

Suggesting "revenue-neutral" solutions only serves to shift the burden on taxpayers, much like a shell game. We saw this when we blindly allowed then-Gov. Jon Corzine to increase the regressive sales tax to 7 percent.

A constitutional convention established without the proper objective will only serve to pacify those who benefit from excess government, while not fixing the issues for New Jersey citizens.

Glenn Cantor

Howell

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Consolidation the remedy to soaring property taxes

This is in reference to the July 7 @issue section about property tax reform, 'Is there no cure?'

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